Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-02-24

| the skies dark and Lowering, tne wafer, Jug
mud the utter discomfort every OLD soidier
will never forget. After two weeks OF TINS
uncanny life without change OF clothes, we
moved towards Williamsburg to meet Nc
Clelan's advance, ard the day after made
ore OF the most brilliant fights OF the
war. Our regimental loss was heavy,
although we were driving the enemy,
and only left our advanced position
about o'clock at night. The falling back
from Williamsburg that night, with the
roads in their then condition, The all night
tramp and the day following, will only pass
with life from the memory OF those men
who participated in it, Seven Pines follows
with its heavy death roll and its heroic dar-
| ing. Yet from some unacconntable over
sight, in the light of history we are I'M
known as participants in it-one of the
bloodiest battles Of the war. In passing
over the seven days fights around Rich
mond, must relate an amusing incident
occurring in our regiment. l believe it was
at Frazier's farm, where all the dash OF cur
brigade was lost by net being supported on
either flank.
AS the regiment swept by DR.. Snowden
caught the eye of Capt. B, whose face
wore foreboding and serious look, and
sung out: 'Cheer up, Captain; if you are
wounded I have some medical stores for
you" at the same time shaking his canteeD,
''Give it 20 me nov, Doctor" said B., life is
uncertain and its joys are heeting,' and, seiZ-
ing the cAnteen, drew inspiration for HIM
self and q hearty laugh from those who
heard him.
Not seeing the Doctor hers 10 night | will
say, in his behalf, no surgeon in The Army OF
Northern Virginia was easier TO ind on
battle field than be, and none ever kept
nearer his regiments line of battle in action
| or was more prompt to succor his wounded.
In August, 1862, we broke camp around
Richmond aud the stirring events of that
campaign opened before US. With light
hearts and bright aspirations the men of the
old regiment left scenes now historic and
made forever memorable by deeds OF brave
~ never excelled ny any people, and plung'
| ed once more into active movements, such
as the forced march, the bivouc, the outly-
ing picket which brought TO the faces of
the men the glow of health and an appa-
lite that rejoiced even in the hard fare OF
Confederate haversack. Do you see the old
regiment that moving human tide, as 1t
surges along? The tramp, tramp or the
feet, the hum Of the voices, the peculiar
Jingle and rattle Of the accoutrements, the
song of the Gypses as they break out in
the old camp chant, "Keet your shoes upon
your feet forward march and never re-
treat"
But rs the day wears on the boys have no
breath 10 waste on song or story: it is
forced march, and all hearts are centred
upon the wolk BOW before tho II j"
whispered ih"ts. old Stonewal is bearin
down. on the eremy's flank and that Long
.. street now must aoon be in his front. and 5
to hush falls upon the ranks. Day mas pass
ne ed into night and still on we go. boy:
If we will never love another country, wi
u, we 2" comes from an old grumbler, but the
1T brace up for the work, and the human cul
'e rent still moves or. AT the head Of tb
at regiment marches old Johnny Ready, wit
q his pipe glowing in the darkness like fire
d, fly, carrying pack that would have give
D. a camel the back-ache. Give us light
IT johnny ~ might he heard and the an5wol
m ITO the diviI wild ye; do we take me for
IS match box?" But he was never kno3n t.
1t be without thai inn ortant article, and neve
ID refused comrade, though the g!uu BILE gen
g. orally accompanied it. Halt Break ranks
- and into camp we 60. pile on the rails
1t boys" aud soon the camp fires blaze, thu
1t camp kettles boil, the frying pans hiss, ant
y the old Confed is stretched on his b!ankc
8 with bis feet to the fire, the toll OF the marcel
b forgotten, and the danger Of the future un
}. dreamed OF. He lights his pipe, ard spec
. ula,es on the movement, then comes 10 tho
10 conclusion that MARS Robert" knows wba
q he is about, closes his eyes ana falls into
o that deep, sweet sleep, known only to bin
e who has earned it by free play of his mus
IS Giles in Gods pure air.
u We'll, comrades, we have passed the Cap
% . and are passing on down the old Gainesville
II pike, and now and then the boom of Gun
) tells us that Stonewall Jackson is waking
> the enemy up, and the next morning dawns
. on the ID battle Of Manassas. leaving
u the I'd Manassas 10 he historian, wo pass
:, g on by Leesburg, across the Potomac, through
Frederick City, to Hagerstown VIII any
{ of us ever forget that night in Hagerstown
before the battle of South Mountain? The
moon shone brilliantly, and the streets were
: filled with Confederate officers and men.
The citizens were much divided in senti-
ment, and when calling at q house with o
= brother officer to see a lady, an old man
y seeing our uniform, slammed the door in
our faces. AT another house. near by, the
rooms were brilliantly lighted and filled
8 with lovely women, who welcomed and en-
I terained US in the most charming manner.
On mounting my horse 10 return TO camp,
, | heard our G!ee Club, Smith, Kidwell, At
we'll and Others singing soma Of the old
camp songs. l asked them 10 serenade the
ladies. which they did with pleasure. Then
l told them of the old mans reception, and
asked them to sing him some Of their most
re5elicus songs, which they did with &
gusto. never heard whether the old gen
tloman appreciated the delicate compliment
paid him. The next day the battle of South
Mountain or Boonsboro', was fought, and
the 18th Virginia held the position assigned
her, against great odds, until ordered to fall
back, which was done about o'clock p. III,
when We continued to march all night,
weary, weary thing at best, but especially
so after a hard fight
On hemorning of the 10th the battle of SharIs
burg opened. From our position we had a splen
did view of the fight on cur left. L must leave
the description of this brilliantly. battle
and come to the incidents pertaining wholly to
our part in the struggle About O'clock D n